This episode explores the connection between sleepiness and reported cognitive decline symptoms in a varied group of older adults who are currently considered cognitively healthy. The study utilized surveys and brain imaging to investigate if feeling excessively sleepy is linked to how people perceive their own cognitive abilities, considering other factors like depression and biological markers associated with Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest a positive relationship between sleepiness and subjective cognitive decline, independent of the Alzheimer's biomarkers measured in this cohort. This highlights the potential importance of addressing sleep issues when evaluating self-reported cognitive changes.

Overall Association: The study indicated a positive association between increased sleepiness (higher ESS scores) and greater SCD symptomatology (higher CCI scores). Specifically, a one-unit increase in the ESS SLEEPINESS total score was associated with a 0.03 unit increase in the Cognitive Change Index CCI total score (with a 95% confidence interval of 0.008 to 0.052)"The association between measures of sleepiness and subjective cognitive decline symptoms in a diverse population of cognitively normal older adults" is 10.1177/13872877251331237